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Headshot of Christopher Ward

Christopher Ward

Democrat, State Assembly
District 78, San Diego
Time in office:
  • Assembly: 2020-present

News coverage of Christopher Ward

Bio

Chris Ward, 49, was co-author of a bill, modeled after Texas’s abortion legislation, that aims to open gun manufacturers up to lawsuits from victims of gun violence. He was appointed in 2023 to head the Assembly housing committee. Prior to his election to the Assembly, he was on the San Diego City Council. He was chief of staff to former Assemblymember and Senator Marty Block. He’s a member of the Assembly LGBTQ caucus. He was an environmental planner at the firm EDAW. He has a degree from Johns Hopkins University and a master’s in public policy and urban planning from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. He and his partner have two children and a cairn terrier.

Leader Badges

Housing Badge

Ideology

Left

Moderate

Right

Bill Activity

0

Of 37 bills:
8 Passed
3 Failed
26 Pending

For this session year, this legislator initiated 37 bills: 8 passed, 3 failed, and 26 are currently pending.

Alignment Meter

See all-time percentage of this legislator’s alignment with any organization based on total votes.

xx%votes: xx

Influence

There are three categories of donations to legislators after they are elected that encourage a working relationship between the donor and the legislator. The three categories are: 1-Gifts, 2-Travel, 3-Behests.

Giver
Value
Date
Description
Viejas Tribal Council$300Apr 22, 2022hotel stay
Illumina Geomics$193.75Sep 28, 2022Event Admission
San Diego Labor Council$150May 16, 2022lunch
California Jewish Legislative Caucus Leadership Foundation$142.77Aug 16, 2022Dinner
Downtown San Diego Partnership$105Mar 24, 2022Food and drink
CA Legislative LGBT Foundation$99.53Jun 8, 2022Pride Celebration
California Faculty Association$95.18Apr 19, 2022Food and Drink
Equality California$90Mar 22, 2022Awards
San Diego State University$78.12Oct 3, 2022tickets
California Democratic Party$67.87Aug 16, 2022Lunch
Showing 1-10 of 26 rows

Gifts

Legislators are not allowed to accept gifts of more than $10 per month from registered lobbyists. Gifts from any other single source are limited to $590 in a calendar year.

Gift Received Rating
#30/120

This legislator is ranked 30th highest for the amount of personal gifts received.

Policy

Bills Authored by Chris Ward

AB 2222
Personal Income Tax Law and Corporation Tax Law: credits: local news organizations.

Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Revenue and Taxation

In Progress
Personal Income Tax Law and Corporation Tax Law: credits: local news organizations.Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Revenue and Taxation
AB 2180 In Progress
AB 1921
Digital games: ordinary use.

Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection

In Progress
Digital games: ordinary use.Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection
AB 1775
Veterans.

Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs

In Progress
Veterans.Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs
View All Bills

Committees

Most of the policy work in the state Capitol is done in “Standing” committees. Legislators also work on budget subcommittees. There are also “Special” and “Select” committees with a more narrow topic focus. And there are “Joint” committees with members from the Senate and Assembly.

Hearings

Featured Comments

Below are links to the video and transcript of recent, substantive comments by this legislator in committee hearings or floor sessions.

Preview image for AB 18131MIN
May 22, 2026

AB 1813

Electricity: customer renewable energy subscription program.

Preview image for AB 195458SEC
May 21, 2026

AB 1954

Municipal golf courses: reservations.

Preview image for AB 17932MIN
May 21, 2026

AB 1793

Cash payments: calculation.

Preview image for AB 20891MIN
May 18, 2026

AB 2089

Property taxation: welfare exemption: filing of claims.

Preview image for AB 25251MIN
May 13, 2026

AB 2525

Surplus lands: Mission Bay Park.

Preview image for AB 16841MIN
May 4, 2026

AB 1684

Common interest developments: cooling systems.

Preview image for AB 16847MIN
Apr 28, 2026

AB 1684

Common interest developments: cooling systems.

Preview image for AB 255949SEC
Apr 27, 2026

AB 2559

Solid waste: construction debris: diversion: deposits.

Preview image for AB 181314MIN
Apr 22, 2026

AB 1813

Electricity: customer renewable energy subscription program.

Preview image for AB 25257MIN
Apr 22, 2026

AB 2525

Surplus lands: Mission Bay Park.

Preview image for AB 202717MIN
Apr 21, 2026

AB 2027

Worker data: prohibitions: artificial intelligence.

Preview image for AB 173914MIN
Apr 21, 2026

AB 1739

Crimes: sexual exploitation: clergy.

View All Hearings

District

View of map with yellow overlay for Assembly District 78 boundaries.
District 78 is a Safe Democratic District
Democratic Party candidate has a very high likelihood of winning in an election

Previous Election (2024):

Chris Ward
100%
WON

Party Registration

Census Data

Median age0102030

Median age